Medical imaging apparatus for displaying x-ray images of different types

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are a display apparatus which facilitates a simultaneous comparison of a plurality of images which respectively illustrate different features on one divided display screen such that the images are seamlessly displayed on the screen, and an image display method which is performable by using the apparatus. The display apparatus includes a memory configured to store a plurality of different types of images of an object, an input device configured to receive an input of a command relating to simultaneously displaying the different types of images, and a display device configured to display images. Upon receiving the command, the display device divides a screen upon which an image of the object is displayable into a first region within which a first image showing one portion of the object is displayed and a second region within which a second image showing the remaining portion of the object is displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/996,087, filed Dec. 11, 2015, in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/505,686, filed on Oct. 3, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,468,134, on Nov. 5, 2019, in the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0118779, filed on Oct. 4, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus which is usable fordisplaying images.

2. Description of the Related Art

When images are checked by using display apparatuses, it is sometimesnecessary to compare the images. In the field of medicine, where imagesof a patient are often obtained by using multiple medical imagingapparatuses in order to find lesions, the comparison may be necessary.Generally, in order to compare multiple images which have been obtainedby using various types of medical imaging apparatuses, the images to bechecked are displayed on multiple display apparatuses.

In the case that multiple display apparatuses are used, it may berelatively difficult, compared to the case of using one displayapparatus, to promptly compare the images of a region of interest.Further, because the region of interest must be checked by shiftingfocus from one display apparatus to another, it may be possible that auser, such as a physician and/or a medical professional, will becomedistracted or lose concentration.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments toprovide a display apparatus which facilitates a simultaneous comparisonof multiple images on a divided screen and an image display method whichis executable by using the display apparatus.

Additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the exemplaryembodiments.

In accordance with one aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, adisplay apparatus includes a memory configured to store a plurality ofdifferent respective types of images of an object, an input deviceconfigured to receive an input of a command which relates tosimultaneously displaying the different types of images, and a displaydevice configured to display images, wherein, upon receiving the inputof the command, the display device is further configured to divide ascreen upon which an image of the object is displayable into a firstregion within which a first image showing one portion of the object isdisplayed and a second region within which a second image showing aremaining portion of the object is displayed.

In accordance with another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments,a display apparatus includes a memory configured to store a plurality ofdifferent respective types of images of an object, an input deviceconfigured to receive an input of one of a division command and a shiftcommand, and a display device configured to display images, wherein thedisplay device is further configured to divide, when the divisioncommand is received, a screen upon which an image of the object isdisplayable into a first region within which a first image showing oneportion of the object is displayed and a second region within which asecond image showing a remaining portion of the object is displayed, andwherein the display device is further configured to shift, when theshift command is received, a boundary between the first region and thesecond region based on the shift command, and to change at least onefrom among relative screen shares of the first region and the secondregion and a respective proportional amount of the corresponding portionof the object shown in each of the first image and the second imagebased on the shift command.

In accordance with another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments,an image display method which is executable by using a display apparatusincludes receiving, by an input device, an input of a screen divisioncommand which relates to dividing a screen of a display device, anddividing the screen upon which an image of the object is displayableinto a first region within which a first image showing one portion ofthe object is displayed and a second region within which a second imageshowing a remaining portion of the object is displayed based on thescreen division command.

In accordance with a further aspect of one or more exemplaryembodiments, an image display method for displaying a plurality ofimages showing a specific region of an object includes seamlesslydisplaying one portion of each of the images on a display device suchthat the displayed portions of the images showing the specific region ofthe object are combined to form a combination image of the specificregion of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view which illustrates an exemplary configuration of adisplay apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are views whichillustrate an exemplary method for dividing the screen of a displayapparatus and displaying an image thereon;

FIG. 15 is a view which illustrates an example of displaying a markerand a text together on a display unit in order to facilitatepre-checking of an image displayed on a divided region;

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are views which illustrate an exemplarymethod for changing an image which is displayed in a region of thedivided screen to a different image type; and

FIGS. 21 and 22 are views which illustrate an exemplary method ofenlarging and dividing an image which is displayed on the display unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view which illustrates an exemplary configuration of adisplay apparatus. The display apparatus 1 includes a display unit (alsoreferred to herein as a “display device” and/or as a “display”) 100configured to display an image, a memory 20 configured to store imagesof an object which is displayed on the display unit 100, and an inputunit (also referred to herein as an “input device”) 10 configured toreceive an input of a command which relates to a manipulation of thedisplay apparatus 1. The display apparatus 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment, which refers to a concept which covers any or all of varioustypes of devices which are capable of displaying images, may include anyone or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer,and a smartphone.

The display unit 100, which is a constituent of the display apparatus 1and which includes a screen configured to display an image, may beimplemented with any one or more of various kinds of commonly knowndisplay techniques. In addition, the display unit 100 may be implementedusing a touchscreen configured to enable a user to input a command bydirectly touching the display unit 100, as well as via the input unit10. The user is able to input a desired command to the display apparatus1 by touching the display unit 100 with a finger or a touch pen (e.g., astylus). The input unit 10 may include any one or more of a keyboard, amouse, a joystick, a track ball, a jog wheel, a voice recognitiondevice, and a motion recognition device. The input unit 10 may beintegrated with the display apparatus 1 or installed in the displayapparatus 1. Alternatively, the input unit may be provided separatelyfrom the display apparatus. In the case that the input unit is providedseparately from the display apparatus, the input unit 10 may transmit areceived command to the display apparatus via wireless communication, ormay be connected to the display apparatus via any one or more of variouskinds of connectors. When checking images via the display apparatus 1,the user sometimes needs to check images of the same object, and/or tocheck a specific region of the same object for which a correspondingimage has been captured by using different techniques. In particular,this process is often necessary in the field of medicine. In the fieldof medicine, any one or more of various modalities, such as an x-rayapparatus, an ultrasound apparatus, a computed tomography apparatus, amagnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a positron emission tomographyapparatus, and a single photon emission computed tomography apparatus,may be used to diagnose a disease. Each modality uses one or more ofvarious kinds of imaging techniques to photograph an object. Forexample, by using predetermined various imaging techniques, the x-rayapparatus may obtain any one or more of a general x-ray image whichshows all bones and soft tissues such as organs of the object, a bonex-ray image which shows only bones, a soft tissue x-ray image whichshows only soft tissues such as organs, and a color x-ray image whichprovides a sharp contrast of colors.

The medical staff compares medical images of an object which arecaptured via various techniques of modalities as described above inorder to check a region which is suspected of having a lesion. For apurpose of comparing various types of medical images with one another,multiple display apparatuses are generally used. However, using a singledisplay apparatus to simultaneously compare various types of medicalimages may ensure a more intuitive and efficient comparison.Accordingly, disclosed exemplary embodiments provide a user interfacewhich facilitates a simultaneous checking and comparison of a pluralityof medical images which have been captured by using different techniqueson a single display apparatus and a display apparatus which includessuch a user interface. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will bedescribed in a context which relates to x-ray images used for medicaldiagnosis. However, the technical spirit of the exemplary embodiments isnot limited to medical images, and is rather applicable to any and allfields for which a comparison and analysis of a plurality of images isuseful.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process for dividing the screen of adisplay unit, and FIG. 3 shows a general x-ray image (general), a softtissue x-ray image (soft), bone x-ray image (bone), and a color x-rayimage (color) as examples of x-ray images.

Referring to drawing (a) of FIG. 2, a captured general x-ray image ofthe chest region of an object is displayed on the display unit 100, andmarkers 110 and 111 which are usable for effecting a division of thescreen are respectively displayed on the left and right sides of thedisplay unit 100. The x-ray image is an example of a medical image.Medical images that may be displayed on the display unit 100 are notlimited to x-ray images, but include images which may be captured viaother kinds of modalities, such as an ultrasound apparatus, a computedtomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a positronemission tomography apparatus, and a single photon emission computedtomography apparatus.

Drawing (a) of FIG. 2 shows a display region of the display unit 100prior to an implementation of a screen division. A first region 120, inwhich a first image 121 which correspond to a general x-ray image isdisplayed, accounts for the entire display region of the display unit100. The first image 121, which is displayed in the first region 120prior to an implementation of a screen division, may be utilized as areference image to be compared with other images which have beencaptured by using different techniques. Accordingly, the general x-rayimage shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed as the first image 121. However,exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Various types of imageswhich may be acquired by capturing images of a specific region of thesame body by using different techniques, such as the bone x-ray image,the soft tissue x-ray image, and/or the color x-ray image of the sameobject shown in FIG. 3, may be selected and displayed by a user.

When the user clicks the marker 110 which is displayed on the left sideof the display unit 100, as shown in drawing (b) of FIG. 2, and acommand which implements a dragging of the marker 110 to the right sideis received, as shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 2, the screen is dividedinto the first region 120 and a second region 130. When the marker 110is clicked, a vertical boundary line vb1 which passes through the marker110 is created. When the marker 110 is dragged, the vertical boundaryline vb1 moves together with the marker 110 in the direction in whichthe marker 110 is dragged. The vertical boundary line vb1 serves as aboundary between the first region 120 and the second region 130.

As shown in drawings (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 2, the direction inwhich the marker 110 is movable may be indicated by a symbol, such as,for example, an arrow. In addition, clicking and dragging of the marker110 may be performed via the aforementioned input unit 10, which mayinclude any one or more devices, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, a joystick, jog wheel, a voice recognition device, and a motionrecognition device.

As shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 2, when the vertical boundary line vb1is moved to the right side by clicking the marker 110 and dragging thesame to the right side of the display unit 100, the screen share of thefirst region 120 decreases, and the screen share of the second region130 is newly created and increases. As the screen share of the firstregion 120 decreases, the proportional amount of the chest region of theobject on the first image 121 displayed in the first region 120 alsocorrespondingly decreases. In drawing (a) of FIG. 2, the entirety of theobject is shown as the first image 121. In drawing (c) of FIG. 2, onlythe right half of the chest region of the object is displayed as thefirst image, and the left half of the chest region is displayed in thesecond region 130 as a second image 131. The combination of the firstregion 120, within which the first image 121 is displayed, and thesecond region 130, within which the second image 131 is displayed,represents the entirety of the chest region of the object.

As shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 2, when the vertical boundary line vb1is moved inwardly with respect to the second region 130 by clicking themarker 110 and dragging the same toward the second region 130, thedecreased screen share of the first region 120 increases, while theincreased screen share of the second region 130 decreases. As the screenshare of the first region 120 increases, the proportional amount of thechest region of the object shown on the first image 121 displayed in thefirst region 120 also correspondingly increases. In drawing (c) of FIG.2, the first image 121 shows only the right half of the chest region ofthe object. Conversely, in drawing (d) of FIG. 2, the first image 121shows approximately ⅔ of the object, and the remaining ⅓ of the objectis shown on the second image 131 in the second region 130. Similar todrawing (c) of FIG. 2, in drawing (d) of FIG. 2, the combination of thefirst region 120 displaying the first image 121 and the second region130 displaying the second image 131 represents the entire chest regionof the object.

As shown in drawings (c) and (d) of FIG. 2, the second image 131 is anx-ray image of the same region or section of the same object.Specifically, the second image 131 is a soft tissue x-ray image whichshows soft tissue of the object but does not show bones (see. e.g., thedrawing labeled “soft” in FIG. 3). The soft tissue x-ray image is simplyan example, and the second image 131 may include any one or more ofvarious images which may be acquired by photographing the same sectionof the object as that represented by the first image 121 by using otherimaging techniques.

As shown in drawings (c) and (d) of FIG. 2, the screen shares of thefirst region 120 and the second region 130 vary based on a correspondingmovement of the marker 110, and thereby the proportional amounts of theobject regions shown in the first image 121 and the second image 131vary. However, regardless of the proportional amounts of the objectregion shown in the first image 121 and the second image 131, the firstimage 121 and the second image 131 naturally match with each other atthe vertical boundary line vb1. The images matching with each other asabove represent the entire image of the photographed region of theobject, similarly as in the case of the image prior to screen division.

Using this method, the user may move the marker 110 near the region ofinterest, and thus may easily and quickly check the first image 121 andthe second image 131 for the region of interest in an alternatingmanner. In particular, the user may seamlessly compare different typesof images of the region of interest which have been captured by usingdifferent techniques, thus displaying unique information on a singledisplay apparatus, rather than on a plurality of separate displayapparatuses. Because it is possible to seamlessly check multiple imagesof the same region on one display apparatus 1 at the same time, anaccuracy of diagnosis may be enhanced, and a more intuitive diagnosismay be possible.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary process for dividing the screen of thedisplay unit by directly touching the display unit. The exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 2 in that the marker 110 of the display unit 100 is touchedusing a touch tool, such as, for example, a finger or a touch pen. Thedisplay unit 100 may use any one or more of various kinds of commonlyknown touchscreens in order to facilitate input of a command by touch.Other technical details except this difference are the same as those ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, and thus a description thereof willbe omitted.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary process for dividing the screen ofthe display unit. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 differsfrom the embodiment of FIG. 2 in that the right marker 111 is clickedand moved and a bone x-ray image (see the drawing labeled “bone” in FIG.3) is used as a second image 141 to be displayed on a second region 140.Other technical details except this difference are the same as those ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, and thus a description thereof willbe omitted.

When the user desires to observe the object by comparing a general x-rayimage with a soft tissue x-ray image, the user may divide the screen bydragging the marker 110 displayed on the left side of the display unit100, as shown in FIG. 2. When the user desires to observe the object bycomparing the general x-ray image and a bone x-ray image, the user maydivide the screen by dragging the marker 111 displayed on the right sideof the display unit 100, as shown in FIG. 5. The images displayed in thesecond regions 130 and 140 of the divided screen may be replaced with adifferent type of images. The image displayed in the first region 120may also be replaced with a different type of image. This will bedescribed below with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary process for dividing the screen bydirectly touching the display unit. The exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 6 differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 in that themarker 111 of the display unit 100 is touched by using a touch tool,such as a finger or a touch pen. The display unit 100 may use any one ormore of various kinds of commonly known touchscreens in order tofacilitate input of a command by touch. Other technical details exceptthis difference are the same as those of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 5, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary process for dividing the screen ofthe display unit into three regions.

Drawings (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 7 are respectively identical todrawings (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 2, and thus a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

When the marker 111 displayed on the right side of the display unit 100is clicked, as shown in drawing (e) of FIG. 7, and dragged to the leftside in the clicked state, as shown in drawing (f) of FIG. 7, the screenis divided into a first region 120, which is at the center, and a secondregion 130 and a third region 160, which are separately arranged on theleft and right sides, respectively. When the marker 111 is clicked, avertical boundary line vb2 which passes through the marker 111 iscreated. When the marker 111 is dragged, the vertical boundary line vb2moves together with the marker 111 in the dragging direction of themarker 111.

As shown in drawing (f) of FIG. 7, when the marker 111 displayed on theright side of the display unit 100 is clicked and dragged, a newvertical boundary line vb2 which corresponds to the boundary between thefirst region 120 and the newly produced third region 160 is created. Thevertical boundary line vb2 moves together with the marker 111 in thedragging direction of the marker 111. When the new vertical boundaryline vb2 is moved to the left by clicking the marker 111 displayed onthe right side of the display unit 100 and dragging the same to the leftside of the display unit 100, the screen share of the first region 120with respect to a total screen area of the screen of the display unit100 decreases, while the screen share of the newly produced third region160 increases. When the screen share of the first region 120 decreases,the proportional amount of the object on the first image 121 displayedin the first region 120 also correspondingly decreases. In drawing (e)of FIG. 7, the first image 121 shows approximately ⅔ of the object.Conversely, in drawing (f) of FIG. 7, the first image 121 shows onlyapproximately ⅓ of the object, and the remaining approximately ⅓ of theobject is shown in a third image 161 which is displayed in the newlyproduced third region 160. The combination of the first region 120displaying the first image 121, the second region 130 displaying thesecond image 131, and the third region 160 displaying the third image161 represents the entire chest region of the object. The first image121, the second image 131, and the third image 161 match with each otherto seamlessly display the entirety of the chest region of the object.

Regarding the images displayed in the respective divided regions, a softtissue x-ray image of the object is displayed in the second region 130on the left side of the screen, a general x-ray image of the object isdisplayed in the first region 120 at the center of the screen, and abone x-ray image of the object is displayed in the third region 160 onthe right side of the screen, as shown in drawing (f) of FIG. 7. Inparticular, the images displayed in the three divided regions shown indrawing (f) of FIG. 7 are x-ray images of the same region of the sameobject. However, the images are captured by using different imagingtechniques, and thus show different respective features of the object.The images displayed in different regions, however, may not be capturedby using different techniques. For example, the images displayed in thesecond region 130 and the third region 160 in drawing (f) of FIG. 7 maybe images which have been captured by using the same technique (e.g.,soft tissue x-ray images or bone x-ray images).

The screen shares of the first region 120, the second region 130, andthe third region 160 vary based on corresponding movements of themarkers 110 and 111, and thereby the proportional amounts of the objectshown in the first image 121, the second image 131, and the third image161 vary. However, regardless of respective changes in proportionalamounts of the object shown in the first image 121, the second image131, and the third image 161, the first image 121, the second image 131,and the third image 161 naturally match with each other at the verticalboundary lines vb1 and vb2. Accordingly, the images in coordination witheach other as above represent the entire image of the photographedregion of the object, similarly as in the case of the image prior toscreen division.

As described above, by using this method, the user may move the twomarkers 110 and 111 near the region of interest as shown in FIG. 7, andthus may easily and quickly check each of the first image 121, thesecond image 131, and the third image 161 of the region of interest inan alternating manner. In particular, the user may easily and seamlesslycompare different types of images of the region of interest which havebeen captured by using different respective techniques, thus havingunique information on one single display apparatus rather than on aplurality of display apparatuses in an alternating manner.

While FIGS. 2 and 7 respectively illustrate the screen as being dividedinto two regions and three regions, the screen may be divided into morethan three regions. Because it is possible to simultaneously checkmultiple images of the same region of an object by dividing the screeninto multiple regions on one single display apparatus, an accuracy ofdiagnosis may be enhanced, and a more intuitive diagnosis may bepossible.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary process for dividing the screen ofthe display unit into three regions.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 differs from theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 in that the markers 110 and 111 of thedisplay unit 100 are touched using a touch tool, such as a finger or atouch pen. The display unit 100 may use any one or more of various kindsof commonly known touchscreens in order to facilitate input of a commandby touch. Other technical details except this difference are the same asthose of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, and thus a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary process for horizontally dividingthe screen of the display unit.

Referring to drawing (a) of FIG. 9, the display unit 100 displays ageneral x-ray image which has been obtained by photographing the chestregion of an object, and a marker 112 which is usable for indicating adivision of the screen is displayed on the upper side of the screen ofthe display unit 100.

When the marker 112 displayed on the upper side of the screen of thedisplay unit 100 is clicked as shown in drawing (b) of FIG. 9, anddragged down in the clicked state as shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 9, thescreen is divided into a first region 120 and a second region 150. Whenthe marker 112 is clicked, a horizontal boundary line hb1 which passesthrough the marker 112 is created. When the marker 112 is dragged, thehorizontal boundary line hb1 moves together with the marker 112 in thedragging direction of the marker 112. The horizontal boundary line hb1corresponds to the boundary between the first region 120 and the secondregion 150.

When the horizontal boundary line hb1 is moved down by clicking themarker 112 and dragging the same downward with respect to the displayunit 100, the screen share of the first region 120 on the screen of thedisplay unit 100 decreases, while the screen share of the newly producedsecond region 150 increases. As the screen share of the first region 120decreases, the proportional amount of the chest region of the objectshown in the first image 121 displayed in the first region 120 alsocorrespondingly decreases. In drawing (a) of FIG. 9, the first image 121shows the entire chest region of the object. Conversely, in drawing (c)of FIG. 9, only about a lower half of the chest region of the object isdisplayed via the first image 121. The upper half of the chest region isshown in the second image 151, which is displayed in the second region150. The combination of the first region 120 displaying the first image121 and the second region 150 displaying the second image 151 representsthe entire chest region of the object, and the first image 121 and thesecond image 131 match with each other, thereby enabling the entirechest region of the object to be seamlessly displayed.

As shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 9, when the horizontal boundary line hb1is moved toward the top of the second region 150 by clicking the marker112 and dragging the same toward the top of the second region 150, thedecreased screen share of the first region 120 increases, while theincreased screen share of the second region 150 decreases. As the screenshare of the first region 120 increases, the proportional amount of theobject on the first image 121 displayed in the first region 120 alsocorrespondingly increases. In drawing (c) of FIG. 9, the first image 121shows only the lower half of the object. Conversely, in drawing (d) ofFIG. 9, approximately ⅔ of the object is shown in the first image 121.The remaining approximately ⅓ of the object is shown in the second image151, which is displayed in the second region 150. However, thecombination of the first image 121 and the second image 151 shows theentire chest region of the object, similarly as in drawing (c) of FIG.9.

As shown in drawings (c) and (d) of FIG. 9, the second image 151 is anx-ray image of the same region of the same object, but this image is acolor x-ray image (see the drawing labeled “color” in FIG. 3), not agray image. The color x-ray image is simply an example, and the secondimage 151 may include any one or more of images which may be acquired byphotographing the same region of the object as that shown in the firstimage 121 by using different respective imaging techniques.

As shown in drawings (c) and (d) of FIG. 9, the respective screen sharesof the first region 120 and the second region 150 vary based on amovement of the marker 112, and thereby the proportional amounts of theregions of the object shown in the first image 121 and the second image151 vary. However, regardless of changes in proportional amounts of theregions of the object shown in the first image 121 and the second image151, the first image 121 and the second image 151 naturally match witheach other at the horizontal boundary line hb1. The image obtainedthrough coordination represents the image of the entire photographedregion of the object, similarly as the image prior to dividing of thescreen. By manipulating the marker 112 which is displayed on the upperside of the screen in addition to the markers 110 and 111 of FIG. 7which are displayed on the left and right sides of the screen, which arenot shown in FIG. 9, the screen may be divided into four or six regions.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary process for horizontally dividingthe screen of the display unit. The exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 in that themarker 112 of the display unit 100 is touched by using a touch tool,such as a finger or a touch pen. The display unit 100 may use any one ormore of various kinds of commonly known touchscreens in order tofacilitate input of a command by touch. Other technical details exceptthis difference are the same as those of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 9, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate another exemplary embodiment fordividing the screen of the display unit.

Referring to drawing (a) of FIG. 11, the display unit 100 displays ageneral x-ray image which is obtained by photographing the chest regionof the object, and a separate marker which is usable to divide thescreen is not shown.

When any position on the screen is clicked as shown in drawing (b) ofFIG. 11, a vertical boundary line vb1 which passes through the clickpoint cp1 is created, as shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 11. The screen isdivided into the first region 120 and the second region 130 by thevertical boundary line vb1 which is created as the boundary. While theboundary line vb1 between the first region 120 and the second region 130is illustrated as being vertical, the boundary line may be horizontal ordiagonal. To enable the user to select a desired boundary line,different manipulations for selection of respective boundary lines maybe predetermined and stored. For example, manipulations may bepredetermined such that a vertical boundary line is created when theclick point cp1 is clicked once, and a horizontal boundary line iscreated when the click point cp1 is clicked twice. The images of theobject displayed in the first region 120 and the second region 130 whichare created by dividing the screen are the same as those described abovewith reference to FIG. 2, and thus a description thereof will beomitted.

In this exemplary embodiment, the screen shares of the first region 120and the second region 130 may be adjusted simply by clicking the pointcp1 at which creation of a boundary line vb1 is desired, in contrastwith the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the screen shares ofthe first region 120 and the second region 130 are adjusted by dragginga marker. More specifically, when a point cp2 which is different fromthe click point cp1 is clicked, as shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 11, thevertical boundary line vb1 shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 11 disappears,and a new vertical boundary line vb1 which passes through the clickpoint cp2 is created. Thereby, the screen is divided into the firstregion 120 and the second region 130 by the new vertical boundary linevb1 which has been created as the boundary. Compared to drawing (c) ofFIG. 11, the screen share of the first region 120 decreases and thescreen share of the second region 130 increases in drawing (d) of FIG.11.

As shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 11, when the new click point cp2 isclicked once, the new vertical boundary line vb1 which passes throughthe new click point cp2 is created. Although not separately shown, whenthe new click point cp2 is kept clicked, a new vertical boundary linevb1 may be created in such a manner that the vertical boundary line vb1shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 11 shifts to the position of the verticalboundary line vb1 shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 11.

Unlike the method illustrated in FIG. 11, a new vertical boundary linevb1 may be created, as shown in drawing (d) of FIG. 12, in such a mannerthat the vertical boundary line vb1 shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 12shifts to the position of the vertical boundary line vb1 shown indrawing (d) of FIG. 12 along a cursor which is dragged from the clickpoint cp1 shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 12 to the click point cp1 shownin drawing (d) of FIG. 12. In particular, in this exemplary embodiment,a new click point cp2 is not created as in drawing (d) of FIG. 11, butthe click point cp1 shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 12 is shifted to createa boundary line.

FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively illustrate dividing the screen into thesame regions as in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively. Unlike FIGS. 11 and12, dividing is performed by touch. The exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11 and12 in that the display unit 100 is touched using a touch tool, such as afinger or a touch pen. The display unit 100 may use any one or more ofvarious kinds of commonly known touchscreens in order to facilitateinput of a command by touch. Other technical details except thisdifference are the same as those of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11and 12, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

Unlike FIGS. 2 through 14, which illustrate that various kinds of imagesacquired through an x-ray apparatus are displayed in the first region120 and the second region 130, images which are acquired byphotographing the same region of the same object by using differentkinds of modalities may be displayed in the first region 120 and thesecond region 130. For example, the same lateral cross section of abrain is photographed by using computed tomography (CT) and positronemission tomography (PET). Then, the image captured via CT may bedisplayed in the first region 120, and the image captured via PET may bedisplayed in the second region 130. In this case, the user is able toseamlessly check several images of the same region of the same objectwhich have been photographed by using different modalities on one singledisplay apparatus, and therefore, a more efficient and accuratediagnosis may be possible.

FIG. 15 is a view which illustrates an example of displaying a markerand text together on the display unit.

In the case that the markers 110, 111 and 112 displayed on the displayunit 100 are moved, text indicating respective features of differentimages 131, 161 and 151 is also displayed on the screen of the displayunit 100 in order to inform the user regarding the different types ofimages of an object which are respectively displayed in the differentregions 130, 160 and 150 of the divided screen (see FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and10).

As shown in FIG. 15, the text “soft” and the marker 110 are displayedtogether on the left side of the display unit 100 such that the user isinformed that a soft tissue x-ray image is displayed in a region of thescreen when the marker 110 is moved. The text “bone” and the marker 111are displayed together on the right side of the display unit 100 suchthat the user is informed that a bone x-ray image is displayed in aregion of the screen when the marker 111 is moved. In addition, the text“color” and the marker 112 are displayed together on the upper side ofthe display unit 100 such that the user is informed that a color x-rayimage is displayed in a region of the screen when the marker 112 ismoved.

Displaying the texts and the markers 110, 111 and 112 together is simplyan example. Alternatively, thumbnails and the markers 110, 111 and 112may be displayed together. Any type of marking which indicates the typesof images displayed in the regions 130, 160 and 150 is within the scopeof this exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are views which illustrate exemplaryembodiments of changing a first image and a second image, which arerespectively displayed in the first region and the second region thathave been divided from each other, to other images.

Referring to FIG. 16, windows 123 and 133 which relate to displaying aplurality of thumbnails tn1, tn2, tn3 and tn4 may be respectively formedat the lower ends of the first region 120 and the second region 130. Thewindows 123 and 133 which relate to displaying the thumbnails tn1, tn2,tn3 and tn4 may be formed not only at the lower ends of the regions, butalso at other positions, such as the upper ends of the regions, or atother suitable positions. The thumbnails tn1, tn2, tn3 and tn4 mayinclude thumbnails of x-ray images of the same region of an object whichhave captured by using various techniques. The x-ray images representedby the thumbnails tn1, tn2, tn3 and tn4 may be pre-stored in the memory20 (see FIG. 1). Various thumbnails of the x-ray images, such as thethumbnail tn1 of a soft tissue x-ray image, the thumbnail tn2 of ageneral x-ray image, the thumbnail tn3 of a bone x-ray image, and/or thethumbnail tn4 of a color x-ray image, may be displayed.

Referring to drawing (b) of FIG. 16 and drawing (b) of FIG. 17, a bonex-ray image is displayed in the first region 120, and a soft tissuex-ray image is displayed in the second region 130. In order to comparethe general x-ray image with the bone x-ray image, the user may click ortouch the thumbnail tn2 of the general x-ray image among the thumbnailstn1, tn2, tn3 and tn4 displayed at the lower end of the second region130. Once the thumbnail tn2 of the general x-ray image is clicked ortouched, the soft tissue x-ray image displayed in the second region 130changes to the general x-ray image. The changed general x-ray image andthe bone x-ray image in the first region 120 naturally match with eachother at the boundary line vb1, and the image produced by the matchshows the same region of the same object.

Although not shown in the figures, in order to compare the soft tissuex-ray image with the color x-ray image, the user may click or touch thethumbnail tn4 of the color x-ray image among the thumbnails tn1, tn2,tn3 and tn4 displayed at the lower end of the first region 120. Once thethumbnail tn4 of the color x-ray image is clicked or touched, the bonex-ray image displayed in the first region 120 is changed to the colorx-ray image. The changed color x-ray image and the general x-ray imagein the second region 130 naturally match with each other at the boundaryline vb1, and the image produced by the coordination shows the sameregion of the same object.

Referring to FIG. 18, windows 124 and 134 which relate to displayingtext which indicates the feature of a corresponding x-ray image to bedisplayed in a corresponding one of the respective regions and an iconfor change of the text together may be formed at the lower ends of thefirst region 120 and the second region 130. The windows 124 and 134which relate to displaying text may be formed not only at the lower endsof the regions, but also at other positions, such as the upper ends ofthe regions, or any other suitable positions.

In the case that the first image 121 which is displayed in the firstregion 120 is to be changed from the bone x-ray image to the soft tissuex-ray image, the user touches or clicks an icon for change of text inthe window 124, 134 formed at the lower end of the first region 120 asshown in drawing (a) of FIG. 18, and then touches or clicks text “soft”as shown in drawing (b) of FIG. 18. Upon touching or clicking the text,the first image 121 which is displayed in the first region 120 changesfrom the bone x-ray image to the soft tissue x-ray image, as shown indrawing (c) of FIG. 18. The changed soft tissue x-ray image and thegeneral x-ray image in the second region 130 naturally match with eachother at the boundary line vb1, and the image produced via the matchshows the same region of the same object.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a separate window which relates todisplaying a thumbnail or text is not formed at the first region 120 andthe second region 130. In this exemplary embodiment, an image may bechanged by positioning a mouse in the region where the image isdisplayed, and then inputting a scroll command via the wheel of themouse, or inputting a command via manipulation of arrow keys on akeyboard. Alternatively, similar to a result of inputting a scrollcommand via the wheel of the mouse, an image may be changed by touchingthe region within which the image is displayed and dragging up or downthe same.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the cursor is positioned in the secondregion 130 and a scroll-down command is inputted by rolling down thewheel of the mouse, the second image 131 which is displayed in thesecond region 130 is sequentially changed to each of the x-ray imagesstored in the memory 20. In the case that a desired image is skipped,the user may find the desired image by inputting a scroll-up command byrotating the mouse upward. When the desired image is displayed in thesecond region 130 as a result of continuous input of the scroll-downcommand or scroll-up command until the scrolling is stopped, the imageis not changed any more.

The user may change the image which is displayed in the second region130 not only by inputting a command via the mouse, but also bymanipulating an arrow key indicating the downward direction or theupward direction among the arrow keys on the keyboard in the samemanner. The image may be changed by manipulating the left arrow andright arrow keys. The illustrated mouse and keyboard are exemplary, andthe image may be changed using other input methods, as described above.In addition, without using a separate input unit such as a mouse or akeyboard, the user may change the image which is displayed in the secondregion 130 by directly touching the screen of the display unit 100 anddragging up or down the same with a finger or a touch pen.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an exemplary method of enlarging and dividingan image which is displayed on the display unit. Referring to FIG. 21,the user may input a command which relates to enlarging a region ofinterest in order to observe the region of interest by enlarging theregion. As shown in drawings (a) and (b) of FIG. 21, an area to beenlarged is specified by clicking a predetermined position near theregion of interest and dragging the same. In this process, a rectanglefor which the drag line serves as a diagonal line thereof is generallycreated in the dragging direction. The rectangular area created in thisway is specified as the enlargement area.

The shape and size of the enlargement region may be directly specifiedby touch rather than by clicking. For example, as shown in drawings (a)and (b) of FIG. 22, a predetermined position near the region of interestis touched, and the shape of an area to be enlarged is drawn with afinger or a touch pen. In drawing (b) of FIG. 22, an enlargement areahaving a circular shape is created. The method for specifying anenlargement area which is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 is purelyexemplary, and specifying an enlargement area may be implemented byusing any one or more of various methods.

As shown in drawing (c) of FIG. 21 and drawing (c) of FIG. 22, once anenlargement area is specified, the image of a portion which correspondsto the enlargement area prior to specifying of the enlargement area isenlarged by a predetermined magnification factor and then displayed. Themagnification factor may be preset in any one or more of various mannersand stored the memory 20, and the user may select a desiredmagnification factor and determine an extent of enlargement of an image.

As described above with respect to several exemplary embodiments, thescreen of the enlargement area may also be divided. In addition, imagesof the same region of an object which have been captured by usingdifferent respective techniques may be respectively displayed in thedivided regions. Referring to drawing (d) of FIG. 21 and drawing (d) ofFIG. 22, when any location on the screen is clicked or touched, avertical boundary line vbe which passes through a click point cpe or atouch point tpe is created, and the screen is divided into a firstregion 120 e and a second region 130 e by the created boundary line.While the boundary line vbe between the first region 120 e and thesecond region 130 e is illustrated as being vertically created, ahorizontal line or a diagonal line may alternatively be created as theboundary line. In order to enable the user to select a desired boundaryline, different manipulations which correspond to selections ofrespective boundary lines may be predetermined and stored. For example,manipulations may be predetermined such that a vertical boundary line iscreated when the click point is clicked once, and a horizontal boundaryline is created when the click point is clicked twice. The enlargementarea may also be divided by dragging the markers 110 and 111 which aredisplayed in the enlargement area, similarly as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Images of the same region of an object which are captured by usingdifferent respective techniques are respectively displayed in the firstregion 120 e and the second region 130 e divided by the boundary. Asshown in drawing (d) of FIG. 21 and drawing (d) of FIG. 22, a colorx-ray image may be displayed in the first region 120 e, and a generalx-ray image may be displayed in the second region 130 e. In order toadjust the relative screen shares of the first region 120 e and thesecond region 130 e, the markers 110 and 111 may be dragged, asillustrated in FIG. 2, or a point in an enlargement area at which theboundary line vbe is desired to be created may be clicked or touched, asillustrated in FIGS. 11 through 14.

Even when the relative screen shares of the first region 120 e and thesecond region 130 e vary and thus the proportional amounts of the regionof an object shown in the first image 121 e and the second image 131 evary, the first image 121 and the second image 131 e always match witheach other at the vertical boundary line vbe, regardless of changes inthe respective proportional amounts shown in the first image 121 e andthe second image 131 e. In addition, the method illustrated in FIGS. 16through 20 may be applied to the first image 121 e and the second image131 e as respectively displayed in the first region 120 e and the secondregion 130 e, which regions are created by dividing the enlargement areaso as to change the images into different types of images.

According to the various exemplary embodiments described above, a usercan easily and quickly check different images of a certain region of anobject in an alternating manner. In addition, the user can seamlesslydisplay and compare different respective types of images of a certainregion of an object, which images are captured by using correspondinglydifferent techniques, thus obtaining unique information respectively onone display apparatus, rather than on multiple display apparatuses bycombining the images. Because multiple images of the same object regionare simultaneously checked on one display apparatus, a resultingaccuracy of diagnosis may be enhanced, and more intuitive diagnosis maybe possible.

As is apparent from the above description, according to exemplaryembodiments, different respective types of images with unique respectiveinformation which are captured by using different techniques may becompared with each other on one display apparatus, rather than onmultiple display apparatuses.

In addition, it may be possible to simultaneously check multiple imagesof a region of interest on one display apparatus, and therefore anaccuracy of diagnosis may be enhanced, and more intuitive diagnosis maybe possible.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those of skill in the art that changes may bemade to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the principlesand spirit of the present inventive concept, the scope of which isdefined in the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical imaging apparatus comprising: a memoryconfigured to store a plurality of X-ray images of a same region of anobject; a display; and a processor configured to: control the display todisplay a first X-ray image from among the plurality of X-ray images;receive a first user selection to set a first area of the first X-rayimage; control the display to display a menu including a plurality ofX-ray image types corresponding to the plurality of X-ray images storedin the memory; in response to a second user selection to select one ofthe plurality of X-ray image types, control the display to change thefirst area of the first X-ray image to the first area of a second X-rayimage, from among the plurality of X-ray images, corresponding to theselected X-ray image type, and to display a second area of tire firstX-ray image together with the first area of the second X-ray image, thesecond area and the first area constituting an entire area of the firstX-ray image; in response to a first user instruction to enlarge thefirst area of the second X-ray image, control the display to display theenlarged first area of the second X-ray image, and to display the secondarea that is reduced as the first area is enlarged, of the first X-rayimage; and in response to a second user instruction to shift the firstarea of the second X-ray image, control the display to display theshifted first area of the second X-ray image, and to display the secondarea that is shitted as the first area is shifted, of the first X-rayimage.
 2. The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising an input device configured to receive at least one from amongthe first user selection, the second user selection, the first userinstruction and the second user instruction.
 3. The medical imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display is furtherconfigured to receive a touch input related to at least one from amongthe first user selection, the second user selection, the first userinstruction and the second user instructions.
 4. The medical imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first area of the firstX-ray image corresponds to a region of interest included in the firstX-ray image.
 5. The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first area of the first X-ray image and the first area ofthe second X-ray image indicate a same part of the object.
 6. Themedical imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of shefirst area of the second X-ray image corresponds to a size of the regionof interest included in the displayed first X-ray image.
 7. The medicalimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller Isfurther configured to control the display to display a text indicating atype of the second X-ray image, together with the second X-ray image. 8.The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secondX-ray image includes any one or any combination of a color X-ray image,a soft tissue X-ray image, and a bone X-ray image.
 9. The medicalimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of X-rayimages include a plurality of X-ray material images based on a pluralityof corresponding X-ray energy bands.
 10. A method of controlling amedical imaging apparatus comprising a memory configured to store aplurality of X-ray images of a same region of an object, a display and aprocessor, the method comprising: controlling the display to display afirst X-ray image from among the plurality of X-ray images; receiving, afirst, user selection to set a first area of the first X-ray image,controlling the display to display a menu including a plurality of X-rayimage types corresponding to the plurality of X-ray images stored in thememory; in response to a second user selection to select one of theplurality of X-ray image types, controlling, the display to change thefirst area of the first X-ray image to the first area of a second X-rayimage, from among the plurality of X-ray images, corresponding to theselected X-ray image type and to display a second area of the firstX-ray image together with the first area of the second X-ray image, thesecond area and the first area constituting entire area of the firstX-ray image; in response to a first user instruction to enlarge thefirst area of the second X-ray image, controlling the display to displaythe enlarged first area of the second X-ray image, and to display thesecond area that is reduced as the first area Is enlarged, of the firstX-ray image; and in response to a second user instruction to shift thefirst area of the second X-ray image, controlling the display to displaythe shitted first area of the second X-ray Image, and to display thesecond area that is shifted as the first area is shifted, of the firstX-ray image.